The proving of Sutherlandiafrutescens (Webster, 2002) produced symptoms whereby the provers felt ‘alone in the world’ felt like ‘outcasts’ and
experienced dreams of separation and being lost. Webster (2002): these symptoms
correlated with the physical appearance of the leaves of Sutherlandiafrutescens, which are described as being
multi-foliate (Moshe, 1998:16), in other words they consist of many separate
leaflets; hence isolated from each other (Webster, 2002).

Indications:

Cancer and SIDA

Sutherlandia used as a auxiliary treatment which
improves the quality of life of patients with malign tumors
and for sicknesses related to immune depression such as SIDA. These benefits
are explained by the action mechanisms of canavanine
(immune stimulant, anti-inflammatory, cytostatic, cytotoxic, pro-apoptotic and inducer of heat shock
proteins).

Gastrointestinal system:

The chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal apparatus, as it occurs
in the cases of peptic ulcer, irritable colon, Crohn
disease, gastroesophagic backflow, improves with Sutherlandia, due to its anti-inflammatory effects
explained by the reduction of the nitric oxide synthesis.

Diabetes:

Sutherlandia is used to treat diabetes mellitus
type II. Its hypoglycemial effect depends on pinitol which produces an effect similar to insulin,
increasing the capture of glucose.

Central nervous system:

Sutherlandia has been used as an auxiliary
treatment of mental and emotional stress, incl. irritability, anxiety and
depression. This action depends on its contents of GABA.

Locomotive apparatus:

The anti-inflammatory properties of Sutherlandia
explain its benefits in cases of gout, arthritis and osteoarthritis.

Respiratory system:

Traditionally, Sutherlandia has bee used for
its positive effects to fight symptoms of flue during 1918 (pandemic
influenza)/used in cases of flue to shorten its duration and severity, and also
as a tonic during the convalescence for post-flue weakness. Traditionally, it
has been used as a prevention and a treatment for the symptoms of asthma,
tuberculosis symptoms, including weakness and bronchitis. These benefits are
due to its anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating action.

Cardiovascular:

Although its mechanism of vasodilatory action
have not been precisely stated yet, its benefits for the treatment of light and
moderate arterial hypertension are known.

General:

Sutherland has also been used as a treatment of unspecific weakness
diseases such as the syndrome of chronic tiredness.

Interactions:

High doses during long terms may interfere with blood coagulation.
Therefore it is recommended that patients stop the treatment three weeks before
a surgery. The concomitant treatment of Sutherlandia
with anticoagulant drugs, like aspirin, heparin and warfarin,
should be supervised. It may boost the effects of oral hypoglycemiants

and therefore it is recommended to use it under medical supervision.

Toxicity:

According to the guide of herbal medicine of WHO, Sutherlandia
is recognized as safe, based on its long history of use in South Africa.
It does not produce any known severe adverse effects.

A complete preclinical toxicological study (2002) with adult velvet
monkeys (Chloroceusaethiops)
during 3 months to show the absence of toxicity with the use of Sutherlandia preparations at three different levels,
administered daily with the food: a dose recommended for human use (9 mg/kg
weight/day), 3x the recommended dose

(27 mg/kg weight/day), and 9x the recommended dose (81 mg/kg weight/day).
The studied variables were related to the hepatic, renal, muscular,
respiratory, intestinal, bone functions and general function. The consumption
of food during the study for all groups was 100%. Results: En none of the
experimental groups, the consumption of Sutherland powder was associated with
secondary or collateral effects (doses similar to human doses) or toxic effects
(doses 3 or 9 the human doses), without any evidence

of a statistically significant difference between the three experimental
and control groups. The statistically significant differences of some hematological and biochemical parameters between the
experimental and the control groups did not represent any clinically relevant
effect and did not show an increase above the normal values with regard to
those parameters.

HISTORY OF THERAPEUTIC USAGE

Sutherlandiafrutescens
has been used therapeutically, in herbal form, for hundreds of years treating
influenza, rheuma, hemorrhoids,
bladder, gastric and uterine ailments and even backache (Gericke,
van Wyk, van Oudtshoorn
1997:246).

Its calming properties were utilized by the Zulus and the Sotho who used
Sutherlandiafrutescens as
a tranquilizer and it has even been used as a "quality of life" tonic
for cancer sufferers.

SUMMARY

There is a vital need to conduct new provings
(using local substances) (Wright 1999:11) as this may allow us to cure patients
that previously could only be treated by a partial simillimum,
as their individual simillimum had not yet been
proven

[Nicolette van derHulst]

The provers experienced a pronounced sensation
of isolation and dissociation from themselves and others. There was a strong
aversion to company and conversation, and

Pain was experienced in the eyes, throat, stomach, abdomen, back and
extremities.

There was much itching produced everywhere in the body and sensations of
heat in- and externally was widely reported. The majority of the female provers experienced irregularities in their menstrual cycle
and dysmenorrhoea.

The proving produced much sneezing, nausea, abdominal distension and
pain, a sensation of heaviness felt internally, cramping and stiffness of the
extremities and sleep disturbances.

Many provers felt much better in open air and
for exercise, whilst there seemed to be an aggravation of symptoms during
perspiration.

Lassitude on waking was experienced and many symptoms were worse in the
morning. The provers reported an amelioration after
eating, desire for refreshing food and drink and a notable weight gain
following participation in the proving.

A repertorisation of the 11 symptoms
representing the essence of Sutherlandiafrutescens was done using the Mac Repertory programme.

On extraction of the repertory it was found that, of the Leguminaceae family, Indigo and Baptisiatinctoriarepertorised
highest, and Sepia succus and Ambragrisea were the closest remedies in the animal
kingdom. The extraction of the mineral remedies yielded predominantly remedies
containing Carbon.

[Webster]

Traditional use: Indicated for backache. There is no description in the
literature as to the specified nature of the backache. The homoeopathic
symptoms may reveal that Sutherlandia is indeed indicated
for the treatment of backache, but specifically lumbar back pain > external
pressure and < at night.

Repertory:

Mind: absentminded. I. S. 1.

absorbed.T. S. 1.

activity; desires. 1. S. 2.

air; mental symptoms amel, in open. 1. S. 7.

anger (easily/at trifles/biting in his lip)

brooding. I. S. 27.

Cheerful (# sadness)

cleaning, desire to clean. 1. S. 32 N.

cooking, desire to cook. 1. S. 43 N.

confidence, want of self-confidence. 1. S. 37.

company aversion to it/desire for solitude. 2. S. 34.

concentration, difficult. 1. S. 36.

confusion of 1. S. 37.

conversation, aversion to. 2. S. 43

delusions [being alone (alone in the world)/is out of the
body/criticized/division between himself and others/”As if far of”/is separated
from the world/lost in own body/